Don’t Feed Your Dog These Foods

There are many foods which may seem harmless to you and I but that can be toxic to your pet dog. This is a list which you should save, remember and or teach your children so that they know any of these items can make your dog sick.

Raisins — Both grapes and raisins (dried grapes) can cause diarrhea, vomiting,, and kidney failure.

Onions — A chemical in onions can damage a dogs’ blood cells and can cause anemia. One small whole onion could very well be fatal.

Chocolate — Chocolate contains a caffeine-like substance that can be toxic to dogs if to much is consumed. The darker the chocolate, the worse the effect will be. Some symptoms to watch for are excited behavior, increased urination, muscle tremors, seizures and a rapid heart rate.

Macadamia Nuts — Never leave these exotic nuts lying around your house. A compound in them could leave your dog with temporary paralysis in his hind legs.

Sugarless gum – A dog will eat gum every chance he gets. Anything with xylitol, a sugar alcohol can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar in dogs which can be deadly.

Remember to adopt a pet from the Animal Shelter

How to train your dog to stop barking!

All dogs bark, it is just their way to communicate between us and each other. A Dog will bark for several reasons: to greet you or another dog, to alert you of someone or something they may feel is unusual, out of boredom, to attract your attention or when they are excited. Although some barking from your dog is acceptable, too much barking will quickly become annoying, especially for your neighbors and will eventually lead to complains. The easiest way to stop a problematic barker is to control the barking while you are at home: Here’s how
1. Find a situation where your dog will always bark. Some of the more common scenarios are, a ringing doorbell or knock on your door.
2. When your dog runs to the door and starts to bark loudly, approach your dog, grab his collar and give him the command “quiet” (please do not shout, it doesn’t help).
3. If he stops barking, praise and reward him with love and treats. He’s a genius and deserves it.
4. If he continues barking, gently close his mouth with your hand, wrap your fingers around his muzzle – use both hands if necessary, and give the command “quiet”. Again praise him if he stops. Most dogs will be able to learn the “quiet” command with repeated training as described above. Set up similar situations to “lure” your dog into barking and repeat the training whenever possible remembering to re-enforce the good behavior with love.

Remember to adopt your new dog from the Animal Shelter.

If You Take the Time To Understand Them Cats Make Great Pets

Cats do not normally perform any tricks, and they certainly do not guard your house while you are away. In fact, the only thing you can be guaranteed of by having a cat is that a mouse won’t last long if they creep into your home. Most people love cats because of their independence. Cats have a life of their own so to speak. Most cats will not follow you around the house with their tongues hanging out of their mouths begging for your attention. While they do love their owners, cats will not grovel like a dog and worship their owners. Cats are perfectly content simply being themselves–and they do not seem to need constant reassurance, unlike dogs. However this does not mean that cats do not need your love and affection, it simply means cats are not “fragile” characters. In fact, cats can even exude a self assurance which can often be misunderstood as aloofness or coldness, which they are not. If a cat comes to sit on your lap, you know you are truly loved. Cats are mysterious animals, which is part of the draw to them. Even when cats have been brought into the home, their instincts still remain. Cats adopt their owners and will even go out and provide “dinner.” Many cat owners including myself have stepped out on the stoop to find a dead mouse, opossum, or mole waiting for them. Now, that is love and loyalty! If you are planning on bringing a new cat into your home, you should look at it as a life long commitment. Cats can live to be twenty years or longer. You should also understand that as cats get older, they will often sleep and lay around your home. If you are wanting a pet to entertain you throughout her life, you should seriously think about whether a cat is the right pet for you. Kittens are very entertaining and young cats are always curious and up for a challenge. However, older cats aren’t easily excitable and usually prefer to watch the antics in the home from a distance. When you have made the decision to bring a new cat into your home, you will have to decide between a domestic or purebred cat. We at the shelter recommend a domestic cat adopted of course. There are more than 40 breeds to choose from, so do your homework. Domestic cats come in all colors and shapes. When you look at any cat, there are some things you should consider. For instance, while all cats are fairly in proportion to each other, there are some cats which are more lanky and lean than others. These cats will be the ones who may be more interested in running and exploration. The chunkier, heavier cat will probably be more laid. The two types of domestic cats are a domestic long hair or domestic short hair cat. When picking out your cat, you should understand that cats should not have an odor. While puppies do tend to have a smell about them, kittens do not. You may feel that a rowdy, rambunctious kitten will fit the best into your lively home. Or, you may decide that a laid back kitten is more your speed, especially if you have a quiet home. Once you have made your decision and chosen your kitten, you should have a kennel waiting for travel, if you do not own one they an be purchased at any pet supply store, or Wal-Mart. You should never try to ride in a car with a cat unless they are restrained or in a kennel. While most dogs love car rides, cats tend to scare more easily. They can cower under your feet preventing you from accelerating or braking and this can lead to a wreck. When you bring your new cat into your home, you should immediately show her where the litter box, food and water are located. You should also have a supply of cat toys on hand keep him or her entertained. Lavishing attention on a new kitten will do wonders in the transition to her new family. You should expect your new cat or kitten to explore every nook and cranny in your home. This is a necessary part of a cat’s disposition. (Even older cats seem to perk up when a new piece of furniture is brought into a home they have lived in for years.) You will want to cat proof your home. You should keep the lids down on the toilet, and you may want to remove potted plants and the like until your new cat learns the rules of the house. Cats are social creatures, and they can learn the rules of their new environment with consistency. While you may think they do not understand what you are saying, this is not true. If you have a new kitten who wants to walk across the kitchen counter or dining room table, simply rattling a newspaper at her and saying “down” will help to teach her to stay off. Be patient and with time you will be able to put the newspaper away and simply speak the command. Kittens can add joy to any home. Part of the fun is knowing the kitten is oblivious to the fact that she is the center of attention. She is not trying to gain your attention by performing. She is simply being a cat. Don’t worry if your cat is not interested in being a lap cat. While she may be content for a few moments on your lap, kittens have to roam, play and explore. As your cat matures she will be more inclined to take it easy curled up on your lap. Until then, just make her feel loved and you will have a feline that will adore you and her new home.

Remember to visit the animal shelter and adopt a cat

Does your dog have itchy skin?

Many dogs experience dry itchy skin, and if yours is one you know that it drives both of you nuts. I know that my dog, “Daisy,” does have some dry skin issues! The first thing you should rule out is fleas. Flea combs and flea drops such as advantage are available at your local pet supply store. If no fleas are found, or if you have treated for fleas and your dog is still itching I’ve found that the best way to alleviate the problem is to: Splash approximately 2 Tablespoons of either vegetable oil or canola oil in your dog’s food. The additional fat will give your dog’s coat a soft, shiny look and will help to alleviate the dry skin and itching. Another option you can try is an over-the-counter product available at most pet stores called, “Lipiderm,” which works in the same fashion, but costs a little bit more. A suggestion you might try: made by one of my newsletter subscribers writes, “Best thing for itchy skin is lemons. Slice a couple of lemons in a liter of water and boil it. Let it cool down for a day then you can spray it on your dogs coat. It works wonders and is cheap.

We hope this helps and don’t forget to visit our site www.AnimalShelter.org and Adopt a Pet

Preparing for emergencies with your Dog

Have you ever thought about what you would need to do if your dog – or any dog – ever suffered a serious or life-threatening injury? What would you do if they had a severe allergy to an insect bite or a bee sting? It is a good idea to know your vet’s phone number, you may even want to add it to your cell phone’s address book; but what if something happens during off hours? What if you are not sure where the closest emergency animal hospital is located?

Any emergency can be both stressful and scary, and one involving the little four-legged member of your family is no exception. Even the toughest of owners can be instantly reduced to tears if something’s wrong with their pet and they can’t figure out what to do.

1. Preparation is always key.

The key to making it through a veterinary emergency is preparation. You may think that you have it covered with a first aid kit and the phone number to your veterinarian handy, but what if there is not enough time to move your dog? You should be well-versed in some of the more common animal emergencies just in case the situation ever arises.

2. Know how to take care of wounds.

Did you know that you should not use hydrogen peroxide on a bleeding or open wound? It slows the blood from clotting to the area, which means your pet could actually lose more blood than he would if you didn’t use the peroxide at all, and blood loss is a serious issue. The best way to treat a deep, severely bleeding wound is to apply pressure with a clean cloth and hold it in place for five minutes, after five minutes tape the cloth to the wound. That original cloth should never be removed – that also slows clotting – and should instead be layered with clean cloths if blood soaks through.

3. Know what to do if your pet is poisoned.

Did you know that certain varieties of toads, salamanders, newts, and other amphibians are poisonous if licked or eaten? If you notice your dog or cat drooling, whining, and wiping at his mouth after a trip into the woods, get him to a water source and rinse his mouth thoroughly. While poison can be fatal if left in the mouth, it’s fairly easy to clean from the tongue and glands.

We hope this helps make sure you are prepared for any emergencies your pet may encounter!

Animal Shelter